EPIC (Joseph) | Week 4
Getting Started:
We hear all the time “Make the most of life?”.
What do you believe would give you the most of life?
What do you believe might be holding you back from getting the most out of life?
Digging Deeper
Joseph was still in prison.
While in prison he didn’t just sit ideally by but made the most of it.
He worked hard and rose in his ability to lead.
Remember that he had interpreted the dream of the Cupbearer and the Baker.
But the Cupbearer had forgotten about Joseph for 2 years later until Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret.
Read Genesis 41:9-13
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”
Joseph was taken from the prison and to Pharaoh.
From what we see what is Joseph’s disposition?
Does he seem upset or mad at anyone?
Does he have reason to have a victim mentality?
Joseph didn’t allow his circumstance to dictate his outlook, instead he bloomed where he was planted and left the rest up to God.
How can we keep from becoming bitter in our situation?
Read Genesis 41:15-16
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Who did Joseph give credit to for interpreting dreams? Why?
How easy is it to take God’s glory for our own when others are singing our praised?
Read Genesis 41:25-30
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them.
Joseph was a prideful person now he seemed to be confident but not arrogant?
According to the message where did this confidence come from?
Genesis 41:33 & 38-40 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Joseph must have felt God near him, endorsing him.
As there ever been a time where you felt God confirm that you were where you needed to be doing what you needed to do?
God had been preparing Joseph for this moment all along.
God help Joseph become humble through his experience
He also began to build Joseph’s abilities by 1st managing a Potiphar’s household then the prison now the whole nation of Egypt.
Even when we don’t think we are do something significant God is still working us towards our purpose.
Joseph used his gifts to serve others.
What can you do this week to use whatever you are doing to make the most of life by serving others?